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General comments made by other relevant stakeholders
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- 4. Views expressed on the outcome by the State under review and concluding remarks
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3. General comments made by other relevant stakeholders864. The International Movement against Discrimination and All Forms of Racism welcomed the acceptance by Japan to a number of the recommendations but regretted its established position, for example in respect of the issues of comfort women, the death penalty, the lack of any domestic legislation prohibiting discrimination and the human rights of the indigenous Ainu peoples. It regretted that Japan had chosen not to accept a large number of recommendations, including the enactment of a national law to prohibit discrimination in spite of its obligations. It welcomed the recommendations on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and applauded the recent resolution by Japan’s national Parliament, followed by the official statement of the Government, regarding recognition of the Ainu as indigenous peoples. It welcomed Japan’s commitment to fully involve civil society in the follow up process, and regretted that it did not undertake broad or meaningful consultations with civil society for its national report. 865. The World Organization against Torture and the Asia-Japan Women’s Resource Centre made a joint statement in which they warmly welcomed the comprehensive examination by the Council of the human rights situation in Japan, including gender-based violence and discrimination against women. They also welcomed the fact that Japan has expressed its determination, as a re-elected member of the Council, to implement its obligations under the human rights instruments and to address “situations of violation of human rights, including gross and systematic violations” worldwide in its voluntary pledges and commitments. They stated that they expect Japan to prove its commitment notably in addressing the “gross and systematic violations” of women’s human rights for which it is responsible, namely Japan’s military sexual slavery during World War II. According to the Committee against Torture, sexual violence and slavery in this context amounted to torture and called on Japan to stop the “continuing abuse and re-traumatization” that result from “official denial of the facts, concealment or failure to disclose other facts, failure to prosecute those criminally responsible for acts of torture, and failure to provide adequate rehabilitation to the victims and survivors”. They called on Japan to urgently act on all recommendations including those on military sexual slavery without reservation, and set a best practice in ensuring remedies for the survivors of the most serious forms of violence against women in armed conflict. They stated that failure to do so would raise a serious doubt as to Japan’s ability to act as a responsible member of the Council. 866. International Association of Democratic Lawyers, Indian Council of South America and Interfaith International made a joint statement indicating their full support for the recommendation that Japan should urgently review the use of the death penalty, have a moratorium and abolish it. They raised the question whether many Japanese people knew about the content of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the resolution adopted by the General Assembly seeking a moratorium. They suggested that the United Nations advise and cooperate with the Government of Japan so that the Japanese people become aware of the international tendency to create a society without the death penalty and that Japan would abolish the death penalty. 867. The Japan Federation of Bar Associations appreciated the positive approach shown by the Government of Japan during the session of the Working Group by involving officials of the relevant ministries and in engaging itself into a constructive dialogue. A total of 26 recommendations were made by States on various human rights issues, including on those that have remained unsolved despite repeated recommendations made by treaty bodies, in particular on the death penalty, the Daiyo-Kangoku substitute prison system and a national human rights institution. It was pleased to note that the Government had today accepted some of the recommendations, including regarding the establishment of a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles. It was also encouraged by the willingness of the Government to involve civil society in the follow-up to the universal periodic review process and to consider adhering to human rights treaties, including the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It noted with appreciation the Government intention to carefully consider the need to introduce mandated recording or videotaping of all interrogations. It was disappointed by the reluctance of the Government to accept a number of recommendations and urged it to re-examine its position and start to move towards acceptance of the recommendations, in particular, on a moratorium on executions and the review of the Daiyo Kangoku system. 4. Views expressed on the outcome by the State
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